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Office of the Chief Coroner announces findings from investigation into possible deaths from C. difficile

TORONTO, Jan. 31 /CNW/ - Dr. Bonita Porter, Deputy Chief Coroner of
Inquests, and Chair of the C. difficile Expert Review Committee, announced
today that the Office of the Chief Coroner has completed its initial
investigation into 26 deaths which occurred at the Sault Area Hospital between
April and November 2006, where Clostridium difficile (C. difficile) bacteria
was thought to be a factor.
The Office of the Chief Coroner established an expert review committee to
examine each of the cases in Sault Ste. Marie where C. difficile was suspected
of contributing to the death. It was determined that C. difficile caused 10 of
the 26 deaths reviewed and was a contributing factor in another eight.
C. difficile was not a factor in the remaining eight deaths.
"We have communicated the results of our investigation to the Sault Area
Hospital and to the families of the deceased. We will continue to work with
the hospital to determine if there are lessons to be learned that may be
shared with others in order to reduce such occurrences not only in Sault Ste.
Marie, but across the province," said Dr. Porter.
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www.mcscs.jus.gov.on.ca